Disclaimer: The only thing! own is Wren and the plot... so, yeah. Blarg.

DanikaLareyna: Yes, as a matter of fact, I AM happy! And you KNOW you loved that line!

Yami Moon: I'm hoping to get the next chapter up, pronto!

Anij: I thought it would be all fluffy, too.., but... Newton... gab! This 'vacation' is overrun with PLOT!!!

Sammi C.: YIKES! No... something tells me GK wouldn't do that.., not even an EVIL GK would do THAT! DOUBLE YIKES!

Notwritten: Thank you!!! Seriously,you have no idea how much I look forward to your reviews! Three sentences, and I'm squealing as if! just got a personal call on my cell phone from David Bowie, or something!

Music:

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall — just perfect imagery for this chapter, I think.

Breaking Glass by David Bowie — This SO cracks me up.

With You in Your Dreams by Hanson — very nice for the end of this... sorta.

I hope everyone is enjoying all this plot-whatever you'd call it... are we half way through the vacation, yet? I think so... Things are about to get interesting...

Wren's Vacation, end of Day four and into Day five

Right back to where we left off...

I looked at him, shocked. "What do you mean? Someone... someone wished a child away?"

Jareth. shrugged, "You, of all people, Wren, know that it is not always a child that is wished away," he looked away from me, as if listening to something faintly, "I have yet to find out what has been wished away, and what the condition of this shall be. We..." he trailed off, indefinitely.

I frowned at him, with concern, "We, what? What's going on?"

He closed his eyes and shook his head, "It is a child," he said, solemnly, "But… we have to wait. My goblins cannot retrieve the child, yet, and I, therefore, cannot appear. That means there is some time..."

I got up and moved to stand right in front of him, "Time for what? I don't want to be a jerk right now, but please keep me informed here, Jareth."

He turned to me, looking almost grave, "Wren, you know how things work when one runs the Labyrinth. It is different for each person who runs it. Most everything changes, depending on the expectations and needs of the runner. I have to play the part they expect, as does my kingdom."

I cocked my head to the side, "So why the confusion when I ran? You seemed to not know what to do with me."

A brief smile crossed his face, "Because you. Wren, expected the truth of me, and needed positive reassurance and communication with a male figure, myself," his smile faded, replaced by seriousness, "But, in most cases, everything here changes to accommodate the expectations placed on it."

"Changes? How?"

He shook his head, "That depends. Usually, it is in small ways, but it can be drastic. The lone place that does not change, is my study, for whatever reason you can imagine," he sighed and turned to me, "Wren, I do not know when the goblins will be able to retrieve the child, or when I will be able to go Above and learn what expectations this youth has for the Underground. For your safety, will you remain in my study until I return?"

I nodded. "Sure thing, GK. I'll head there, pronto, just..." I sighed, "Just let me know everything is okay, or something, alright?"

He nodded., "Thank you, Wren, and I will. Lunch will be waiting for you, in my study. I trust you can find your way?"

I nodded and left him. As I walked through the castle halls, it all seemed so strange... I hadn't thought much about how much work went into being Goblin King. It was sure to be stressful. How had he done it for so long, all on his own? I couldn't imagine that feeling anymore than I could imagine being without my siblings.

I made my way to Jareth's study, boarded myself inside, and waited.

Waiting is, I believe, one of my least favorite things to do.

I ate lunch in Jareth's study (there had been a tray there, with meats, breads, cheese, and water for me) then amused myself by finding a spare scrap of paper – or was it parchment? It seemed like a cross between the two – and doodling on it with Jareth's quill and ink. Not easy, but I thought it was funny, all the same.

Nothing.

After that, I found a book on a shelf and started reading. It was regarding Labyrinthine Biology and plant life. I think. Not all of it was written in a form of English that I could read, Still it was a very thick book, and I was truly fascinated by it, and so I lost myself in it. I must have been reading for a very long time, because the tray for lunch refilled itself, when I wasn't looking, with dinner.

Still nothing.

After I'd eaten dinner and amused myself with another scrap of parchment, I tried to read another book from a shelf in Jareth's study. I tried… but I was getting tired. I made myself comfortable on Jareth's couch, and closed my eyes…

It was very early in the morning when the shakes began. At first I just thought I'd fallen off the couch on my own. I jumped up and, looked at the clock that hung on the far wall of the study. It was nearly five am, Underground time. I shook my head, looked around, and started to scold myself for being so silly in rolling off the stupid couch.

Then everything, the castle walls, the floor, everything, began, to shake as though there was an earthquake.

I screamed in fear — I had never been in an earthquake before — and scrambled to hide beneath Jareth's desk. In less than five minutes, the tremors ceased and everything was quiet.

Until I heard a baby cry, somewhere far within the depths of the castle.

I began to breathe a little heavier than usual. A child really had been wished, away! That was… horrible! And Jareth had to deal with it! Speaking of Jareth, I thought, if the child was here, then he must be speaking with whoever had wished away the kid, right then. I just stayed where I was, and waited some more.

Perhaps it was an hour later, near six am, that I felt Jareth poof into the room. I had remained under the desk, but had dozed off, until his presence had stirred my consciousness.

Well, even if I hadn't felt him, the shattering of crystals would have woken me.

I shot out from beneath the desk, just in time to see him throw another crystal across the room and shatter it on a shelf. We locked eyes, momentarily, and he sunk down to sit on the couch, his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands.

Without a second thought, I went and sat down next to him, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him into a hug. He didn't protest, but instead buried his face in my shoulder.

"What's wrong?" I asked him, softly, after giving him a few minutes of silence.

He sighed, "A young man, in his very late teens, and his younger sister. Kevin and Molly."

I nodded, "Okay, so he's wished her away…"

"He is far too old to have made such a wish for his sister," Jareth said, bitterly.

I pulled back and looked at Jareth, "Why do you think he did it?"

Jareth closed his eyes and, shook his head, sadly, "He… he is highly conceited, and has a highly distorted view of women, Wren. The…" he hung his head, "The babe is barely three months old. He was tired of her, and the attention she received."

I gritted my teeth, "But he is going to run, to get her back, right?"

Jareth nodded, "Yes. Whether or not he truly wishes to have her back is irrelevant. I believe he is running because he fears repercussions from his parents, as I explained that I will not erase her memory from those who knew of her in any way. Yet… this child shall be returned home regardless of whether he wins or not, Should he win, he shall appreciate her, and should he lose and still find her at home... I can only hope his relief shall grow into some sort of appreciation for her."

I swallowed, thinking briefly about my eldest brother, Gideon.

Jareth stood and began pacing the room.

"As terrible as that seems, it is only the tip of the iceberg," he fumed, "This one is nearly an adult, has the belief that this Labyrinth is darker than it truly is, sees me as a completely monstrous villain! And…" he stopped his pacing and looked at me, seeming to be at a complete loss, "He needs female interaction, to deal with the way in which he views women. I am not going to enjoy this run."

"You've said that twice now," I pointed out, "That he has a bad view of women. Can you be more specific?"

Jareth didn't answer me. Instead, he looked away, as though afraid to tell me the specifics I was asking for. I nodded. Some things, with Jareth, didn't need to be said. His boy didn't like average/normal girls, just pretty ones. In other words, I wouldn't be this guy's type. But, as I thought about it, something occurred to me.

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Wait… you can't be the female interaction, Jareth, so what are you planning to do?"

He flopped down beside me again, slouching greatly, "I shall have to… make do."

I frowned at him, "Make do with what? Jareth, you can't be a woman!"

He mumbled something, I couldn't hear.

A small smile tugged at my mouth, "What was that, GK?"

"I said I have done it before," he growled.

I started to laugh at that, but stopped myself. Jareth wasn't joking. Dear me. And this was his job… his job!

My thoughts swirled with possibilities, Absently, I looked down at my ring, Then I turned to Jareth.

"Put me in."

Jareth looked up, startled.

"No," he said, almost reflexively, "I will not force you into that position."

I sat up straighter and squared my shoulders. I could do this. I may not like it, but I wasn't going to let Jareth face this challenge alone. "Since when have you forced me to do anything?" I asked, defiantly, "I'm volunteering."

He shook his head, "No, Wren. I cannot ask that of you."

I snorted, "Are you thick headed? I didn't say you were asking me, I said I was volunteering. Send me in as a... distraction, helper, whatever you need. I'll do it."

"No, no, no!" Jareth stood and marched to his desk, leaning on it heavily, his long hair hanging around his face, "Wren... no. This boy... I do not want him near you, and…"

I stood, too, and moved to stand beside him, "Given his distorted view of women, I'm the perfect one to work with him. You'd be too dang pretty as a woman, so why not use me?"

His face flew up to stare into mine, first with a dash of mirth in his eyes, and then sadness. "He expects me to be evil, Wren. I am obligated to play that part. I do not wish…" he broke off, his eyes falling back to his desk, "I do not wish for you to see me in such a way."

Silence reigned in, the room for a while.

"Is Kevin in the Labyrinth, now?"

"No," Jareth replied, softly, "I am holding time for him, temporarily. I will allow him to begin his journey at first light."

I nodded. That didn't give us much time. I reached out, grabbed Jareth's chin and bent in to kiss him. I could feel the tension he was holding onto ease out of him as I did so. Not breaking the kiss, he moved and wrapped me in his arms. He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine with a sigh.

I looked at him. "I know you," I said, softly, "And I know what you do. Send me in, Jareth. I'll wear your ring to stay safe and I'll…"

I felt his forehead crease against mine, "Yes?"

"You will play a part, and so can I. Let Kevin run into me, and I'll agree to help him. I can tell him that I ran the Labyrinth and lost — which is true, and…" I grinned, "I can convince him that his sister is worth fighting for."

He looked directly into my eyes, "This is not a good idea, Wren," he warned me.

"Well, it's a better idea than you doing a Haley Mills in drag, so I say we go for it."

He smiled softly, warily. "Are you sure?"

I nodded at him, "Yes. Morning will be here, soon, so lets get started,"

(Day Five)

I knew Jareth said that Kevin was nearly an adult, but I wasn't quite prepared for him being seventeen. He HAD to be seventeen... that is, if he wasn't eighteen. He could have been, easily.

I agreed with Jareth, he really was too old to have made such, a wish.

I also wasn't quite prepared to see the changes that had taken place in the castle and the Labyrinth. Everything was… dark and menacing. The Labyrinth wasn't as bad as the castle, but… it wasn't the same glittery Labyrinth that I had ran, and it made me a little sad to see it in such a state.

I was huddled in an alcove in one of the walls. The sandstone walls in this area were covered with vines and the vines with thorns, so they hid me exceedingly well. Jareth had provided me with jeans that were patched and frayed, and a shirt that was slightly too big for me, and also worn. I'd roughly tied my hair back, and rubbed a little bit of dirt on my nose, trying not to upset my still slightly burnt skin. Luckily, my sunburn added to my disguise as someone that had been living a rough life in the Labyrinth for a long while.

So, all I had to do was wait. The alcove I sat in was near an enormous 'fork in the road', you might say, where Kevin would have to choose between five different paths to take. He should hesitate long enough for me to make an entrance.

I saw Kevin round the corner, shooing vines away from his arms. I don't know what had possessed him to think vines acted in such a manner, but most all the vines in the Labyrinth would now reach out and try to snag you. Unless, of course, you wore the king's ring, like I did.

I tried to keep an open mind about Kevin. I had to remind myself that I wasn't supposed to know anything about him. He was tall, with dark brown hair that was cut rather fashionably and was wearing stylish clothes, for a guy. He also had this seemingly permanent sneer on his lips, as though the entire place disgusted him. I frowned.

Sure enough, as he came through, a vine rose up to snag his sneaker. He landed flat on his face in a cloud of dirt. More vines shot out, sensing his weakness, and it wasn't long before he was tangled up in knots. He'd get out, for sure, but it would take him a few minutes. Well, I thought, here goes nothing.

I began laughing at him – but not with no ordinary laugh. Oh, no, I used the sweetest, prettiest laugh I had.

Amid his struggles to get free, his head shot up, looking around. "Who's there?" he called out, in what appeared to be an Australian accent. I didn't answer him, but merely laughed again.

"Please," he said, "I need... I need help!"

I snorted, "Yeah right. You're a big tough boy, you can get out if you try. Besides, you won't want my help."

He looked around frantically, "No, I need it! Please!"

"If you get my help," I said in a slightly sing-song voice, "You're stuck with me, boy. I don't think you want that. Besides," I let my voice get as sickeningly sweet as I could, "It took me so long to find a decent hiding place where he couldn't find, me. I'm not sure I want to give it up."

Kevin's eyes widened, "You mean, the Goblin King?"

"No, I meant Donald Duck — who do you THINK I meant?"

He turned his head back and forth, "Who are you? What are you? You… you sound American, so you're human, aren't you?"

"Ding! Give the boy a cookie!" I paused, "I was American,"

He paused, "Was?"

I laughed some more, "I'm still human, if that's what you're wondering. It's just, you know, once you've lived someplace else for so long, you kinda become a resident, don't you?"

"Well," he looked around, trying to spot me, "I can't exactly see you, and so I'm not sure what you look like. Could you... come out?"

"No. I told you, I have a nice hiding spot, and I don't think I want to give it up. It took me a good long time to find this one, and, so far he hasn't found, me yet."

A light went off in Kevin's head. "You're a runner, like me, aren't you? We... we could help each other! We could work together to get to the castle! C'mon!"

"I was a runner, back when I was American." I dropped that subject and moved on, "Now, as for helping you, as I said, I don't think you want my help, I think," I said, turning my head to the side, though he couldn't see me yet, "That you want my help right now, because you're stuck, but you won't want my help once you're free."

He frowned, "You don't want to help me?"

I snorted again, "If that's what you think, you're stupider than I thought. I won't give up my good hiding spot for just a passing thing, you see, but I would be more than willing to help you. I know why you're here, to save someone, just like I had been, and I know better than most how frightening this place can be. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

"Then," he looked confused, "Then why not just help me!"

I sighed, "Fine, I'll help you — but only to make sure you get the job done. I'm not doing this for you, but for whomever it is you wished away. Whoever it is, you don't deserve them."

Kevin's face looked mortified. "How can you say that?" he asked, softly.

"Because," I said as I stepped out from my alcove where he could finally see me, "You didn't once beg for my help, for the sake of whoever you wished away. You were only thinking about yourself, and getting out of those vines you're in."

Kevin's eyes roamed me up and down. I had to resist the urge to kick him, or something. With my 'sweet' voice, he hadn't been expecting to find someone like me. Instead, he'd been hoping to find himself an adorable and skinny nymph-like creature. He was noticeably disappointed in my appearance.

I smiled, "But you're stuck with me, now. So… let's get you out of those vines, shall we?"

He looked away, trying to hide his displeasure. Stupid kid. I used the opportunity to my advantage. I pulled on the vines and shook him around a little bit, mostly for show, but then touched Jareth's ring to them and, they fell away instantly. "Right as rain," I said, stepping back so he could get up.

"Thanks," he muttered, brushing his front off. I smiled at him and he looked down at his shoes. "Look... you're right. I don't deserve Molly. I don't deserve much, not even, your help, okay? You… you had better get back to hiding."

Oh, he was good. Self-deprecation to try and get out of keeping me around. Part of me wanted to laugh, and another part of me wanted to scream at him for being such a jerk.

I shook my head, sadly, "Sorry, kid, it's too late for that. He already knows I'm out,"

"You don't know that for sure…"

"Actually, young Kevin," growled a third voice from behind us, "She does. My Wren is not quite the fool you take her for,"

I screamed and threw myself backwards against the wall as Jareth approached us. He was frightening, I had to admit. He was taller than Kevin, and his eyes looked nearly black instead of his bright blue. His hair was long and untamed, and he wore an outfit of black with silver trim, I noticed that his eyebrows seemed slightly bushier, and he had dark circles under his eyes. He looked very menacing, indeed, and nothing like the kind GK I knew.

I had to remind myself that it was just a part. This wasn't my Jareth. This was an elaborate play, and we were both characters. Currently, I had to be afraid of him.

While Kevin's reaction wasn't as dramatic as mine, he still stepped back, his fear evident.

"Little Wren," Jareth drawled, slowly stalking in my direction while eyeing me up and down, "I did tell you that you could not hide forever," he chuckled, darkly, "My little song bird,"

I was shaking all over and whimpering as he approached me. He reached down and grabbed my chin, roughly. He didn't hurt me, but I cried out to make it seem as though he had. Even while keeping my trembling eyes on Jareth, I could see Kevin's eyes bug in fear.

Jareth – no, I shouldn't call him. Jareth, or the GK, he was the Goblin King – bared his pointed teeth near my face and sneered, "Have you found yourself a friend?"

"N-no…" I sobbed, "Please… let me go!"

He threw his head back and laughed, a horribly vicious laugh, "When will you learn to stop making such pointless demands?" he drew even closer to my face and regarded me lasciviously.

"Please!" I cried, "You're hurting me!"

"Let her go!" Kevin shouted, but with barely any heart behind it.

Jareth stood to his full height, pulling me up with him. Again, he wasn't hurting me, but it appeared as if he was, and I screamed. The Goblin King faced Kevin, "Ah, yes, the current challenger. Let her go, you say? Well, only to be polite for my guest," he threw me across the path, into the wall. The wall was cushioned for me, but I yelp and slumped down, looking dazed.

The Goblin King barked a laugh and turned back to Kevin. "Tell me Kevin," he said, circling the boy, slowly, "How are you enjoying my Labyrinth?"

Kevin was watching me, in fear. "It's… dark… scary..."

The Goblin King barked another laugh, "Aha! Well, I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am enjoying time with your dear sister,"

I gasped and looked fearfully at Jareth. Kevin looked at him in horror, "What have you done to Molly?" the boy demanded to know.

Jareth pulled an innocent face, "Nothing… yet. But, once you fail, I may do with her as I wish."

Kevin blanched, "She's just a baby!"

"Really? I had not noticed," he drawled, dully. Then he sighed, "But, I suppose I should get back to the castle," he said, "And make sure the goblins have not eaten her…"

He was about to round a corner, but at the last he stopped and turned back, "I am disappointed," he said, pouting, "You keep taking the easier paths, Kevin, and miss out on seeing some of the more exciting creatures that my Labyrinth has to offer. I think I shall rectify that," he withdrew a crystal and shattered it on the ground, laughing maniacally.

He vanished in a puff of black smoke, but the dirt and vines began to combine in the spot where the crystal had shattered, I knew, as Jareth had told me, that it would form into a kind of monster that would chase us until we were in the forest, which wasn't all that far ahead, if I led the way.

I staggered to my feet, and grabbed Kevin's hand, "Kevin!" I shouted, "Run!"

He nodded once and followed me though the maze.

I had been out of breath by the time we'd made it to the doors that led into the forest. At one point, while running, Kevin tripped. I hadn't realized it until ten feet or so later, and I'd run back to get him, while throwing several rocks at the monster to distract it. We took off again at a high run towards the doors that led into the forest. Once we had reached them – just in time – we shut the door behind us and blocked out the sand-vine monster from… eating us, or whatever. We dashed a ways into the forest and I collapsed on a low tree branch. Kevin was shaking from head to toe.

Good, That boy needed a little fear in him.

"So," I panted, "Didn't… didn't get to introduce… myself," I exhaled, harshly. "I'm Wren."

He nodded towards me, weakly, "I'm Kevin."

I nodded back, "Nice… nice to meet you. And… your sister's name is Molly?"

At the mention of her name, Kevin sunk to the ground, near tears, "I… didn't realize... what would happen..."

"You mean, you didn't think the Goblin King could be so cruel, even to a baby?"

He nodded, hiding his face in his hands.

"No one does, Kevin. But, the point is you are here, and I'm here to help you, and we can get her back."

We sat in silence for awhile. Kevin finally looked up at me, "Wren?"

"Yes?"

"What are you doing here? You said you once ran… but, if you were the runner, why are you still here?"

Oh, fun. I got to do some acting, now.

I turned my head away, and said in a quiet voice, "I made a hasty wish, a long time ago... or maybe it wasn't... it's hard to tell, sometimes..." I kept my head low, but turned back to face Kevin, "I ran the Labyrinth, and lost, Kevin. But… I'd been so close!" I sighed. "I haven't thought about it in a long time..."

He frowned at me. "How can you not think about it? You're here, all the time!"

I turned and sneered at him, "Yes, I am, thank you, for pointing that out to me,"

He hung his head, "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

I sighed, "I ran and lost. I was close to winning, but by the time my thirteen hours were almost up, it was painfully obvious that I wouldn't quite win. He came to rub it in, and I offered him an alternative."

Kevin looked at me with round eyes, his mouth hanging open a little, "You didn't… you didn't offer to…"

I nodded, "To amuse the King? To stay? I couldn't guarantee that I'd win and he knew that. He made a new deal with me. My wish was reversed, as though it had never been spoken, in exchange for me. So, here I am," That was true enough, right?

"How…" Kevin seemed so shocked, "How could you do that? Give up your life?"

I shook my head and gave Kevin a look, "You don't quite get it, do you, Kevin? It wasn't about me. It was about the effects my selfish wish had on someone else. It wasn't a question if I could give up my life as I knew it, but if I could go back to that life and live with the guilt that I had cursed someone innocent to this world, to this life," I motioned to the forest around us, "And the answer was that I couldn't. Compared to the guilt, giving up my life was easy."

He just stared at me, for a long while, comprehending the meaning of my words. I prayed that they sunk in. He needed to understand that, big time. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Who did you wish away?"

I got to my feet and walked away. "Don't ask me, I don't want to think about it."

I smiled as I stood behind a tree. Things were going according to plan, and right on schedule. I had saved Kevin's life once, had given him a moral lesson, and now he was going to get the chance to save me. This was the part of the plan that Jareth had warned me would be the most frightening.

Fireys. I heaved a shuddering breath.

I walked to about three or four trees away, and waited. I tried to brace myself for them, because I'd not seen one before, but knew nothing could prepare me for them. Jareth had sent them, and had specifically told them not to harm me, or else he'd dip a limb from each of them in the bog, but I was still worried. I held out my hand, the one with Jareth's ring on it, and whispered out into the forest, "Hey… fire dudes, we're ready for you to make an appearance…"

Within a matter of seconds, two leapt out of nearby bushes, and one swung down from the tree above my head, I was shocked they could hide so well; they were colored so brightly! They were wild and gangly looking, like flammable monkeys that had just escaped from a horrible hair salon, but… their eyes were alight with a terrifying inner flame, and from time to time a ripple of that flame would rush across their skin. The one from the tree above me swung down right in my face.

"We hear ya, doll face," it said in a whisper, "And we ain't gonna hurt ya, just have a bit of fun!"

"Yeah!" agreed one on the ground.

"That's right!" said a third, as another emerged from a bush nearby.

I nodded, unable to speak.

The upside down, one winked at me, "So be sure to scream good and loud, so he can hear ya, okay?"

One jumped up, right then, and flashed fire filled eyes in my face.

My scream was very real.

Thankfully, Kevin came running – that was a good sign! When he saw them, he staggered backwards, in fear. They saw him, though, so he wouldn't escape.

"Let me go!" I screamed as one took a seat on my shoulders and two trapped my arms on each side of me, so I couldn't move. I shrieked as they started to pull a little – though, just like Jareth's man-handling, it didn't really hurt me – and Kevin suddenly jumped in the fray, pulling them off me.

"Get off her!" he yelled, flinging one away. But, three more came out of the bushes and advanced on Kevin.

"I think he wants to steal our snack!" one said.

"I think he wants her all for himself!" said another.

"I think we should eat them both!" said a third, to which they all cheered noises and began to chant a song about roasting us.

Kevin panicked, but he did manage to yank the head off one and threw it, knocking heads off two others. They began fumbling about, trying to sort out their heads. Kevin ran forward, grabbed me in his arms and yanked me from the ones that were holding me, taking half of their arms and legs with us. We threw the removable limbs back at them, knocking off a couple more heads, and causing general chaos.

I tripped, on purpose, as we tried to run away. Kevin stopped instantly and turned to grab me upward and we kept running. The fireys pursued us, of course, but weren't to catch us.

The rest of the day was spent in a similar nature. Getting out of the forest proved to be harder in Kevin's version of the Labyrinth, and we also had to fight off and run from several other creatures we stumbled into along the way.

It was afternoon by the time we cleared the forest and found a stone stairway that would lead us into the next portion of the Labyrinth. Unfortunately, the stairway was crumbly and looked dangerous. I wasn't all that thrilled about trying it, even though I knew, from what Jareth had told me that it would be fine to climb. Well, crawl. It looked a little too shoddy to be walking upright on, and it didn't have a guard rail, so I wouldn't be attempting it without being on my hands and knees.

But, when it came down to it, I only got halfway up the stairway. Kevin didn't think to have me go up the stairs first, and possibly make it to the top first. Instead, he plunged forward on them, and I followed. This made my path rockier, but I knew the plan, and knew that I'd be safe.

Jareth was waiting, or, rather, the Goblin King was waiting for Kevin at the top of the stairway. It was time for Kevin to face a dream in the ballroom, without me. Jareth wouldn't say quite what would happen in the ballroom for Kevin, and I decided that it was probably best if I didn't know.

Anyway, when Kevin was nearly to the top of the stairway, he vanished completely as the Goblin King laughed and threw a crystal at him. I kept going, and was near the top when a gloved hand reached out into my line of sight. I looked up and found Jareth, my Jareth, reaching out to help me up. I sighed, took his hand, and let him lift me up to the top. Instantly, he hugged me and gave me a solid, and comforting, kiss.

"Oh, it's good to see you," I said, feeling a little on the weary side.

His face looked worried. "Wren, are you doing alright? I cannot stay long, for I need to be in the ballroom to monitor Kevin, but... I needed to know if you are doing well."

I nodded, "I'm feeling a little tired, but I'm okay."

He pulled me close, resting his chin on my head, "And Kevin? Is he… improving?"

I shrugged, "I suppose. So far, he hasn't done anything obviously stupid, and he hasn't been the sexist pig I thought he would be, but then again, he hasn't had the opportunity to compare me with any other girls, so I don't know for sure. I think he is starting to truly regret wishing Molly here, though."

Jareth laughed, "He'll appreciate you more, Wren, after the ballroom, trust me. I refuse to subject you to that mess. But," he turned me and pointed down, a brick path way, "If you take that path, you will pass through the Bog of Eternal Stench and move onto the junkyard. Kevin will be there, looking for you."

I pulled a face, "I have to go through the bog?"

He gave me a sorry smile, "Afraid so, my dearling. I cannot do anything for the smell, but do not cross the bridge, instead, go past the tree near the bridge and continue on the stone path, this same path, and it will lead you to the junkyard, far quicker. That path leads you out of the smell faster."

I nodded and gave him a grateful squeeze. "And... did I hear you right when you said Kevin would be looking for me? That the heck is happening in that ballroom?"

Jareth shook his head, "You do not want to know. But, I need to get back," he kissed my head, "I shall see you when you reach the castle." And he vanished in a familiar puff of glitter. I sighed. You didn't know how nice glitter was until you didn't have it anymore.

I followed. Jareth's instructions and followed the brick pathway. Oh, that bog smells… gah! Oh, so bad! I won't even go into the smell. Just… yeah, no.

Anyhow, I did see the tree, and the bridge. I took the smallest of moments to look out across the bog. Despite the stench, it was a very interesting place to see. But, after a few seconds, the smell got to me, and I turned my back and went on my way.

True to his words, I reached the junkyard in no time at all. I sat and waited. I started to get sleepy, and closed my eyes for just a moment...

"Wren!" someone shouted my name. "Wren! Oh, man, where is she? Wren! Are you there?! Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes and sat up, looking around. I had to have dozed off. I realized that it was Kevin's voice I was hearing.

"Kevin?" I asked sleepily.

"Wren!" he appeared around a pile of junk and came running, falling down next to me, "Oh, Wren, are you okay? You're… you're not hurt, are you?"

I looked at him like like was crazy, or something. "I'm fine..." something really bad, possibly involving me, or an illusion of me, at least, had to have happened in that ballroom, "I'm okay, Kevin, I swear."

Without warning, he grabbed me, shaking, and hugged me tightly, "I'm so sorry!" he said, "Can you forgive me, Wren?"

I was so going to have to interrogate Jareth about what happened, later.

I pushed him back and looked him in the face, "As if it never happened. Now," I stood up and pulled him with me, "Let's go get Molly!"

Getting into the Goblin City was not very easy. The gate was locked and guarded by several armed goblins, We had to sneak in, actually climbing over the wall, using a large pile of junk from the junkyard that was piled up near the wall. This, I tell you, wasn't easy to do because the junk was not stable and the wall had large spikes on it. Luckily, the spikes were large enough for us to slip our feet in between and we were able to get around them without being impaled.

And, on the up side of things, Kevin helped me up the pile, and jumped down on the other side, first, so he could help to catch me. He was making vast improvements.

We dashed through the city like there was no tomorrow, opting to sacrifice stealth for speed. At one point, we turned a corner and knocked down a dwarf (I hollered that we were sorry over my shoulder) and then, two turns later, Kevin and I ran full force into a large hairy beast of some kind. It growled at us, we each shouted and took off running again. Not long after that, we heard someone shout a charge after us, but we didn't really find many people standing in our way so we easily outran any kind of pursuit.

We did, however, manage to make our way through a somewhat vicious group of guards that were posted at the doors into the castle. I'm not sure how it was possible (this was, after all, spurred from Kevin's imagination and his expectations on the Labyrinth) but we managed to shut and bar the large doors into the castle, keeping the goblins out.

Kevin looked at me, "Where now?"

I shrugged, "No idea, This castle is new territory, for me," And it was, really,

"Um," Kevin looked around, suddenly deciding on a direction, "This way!"

I knew that no matter which direction Kevin took, it would lead him to the throne room, and subsequently, the Escher room. I followed him to that point.

"There," I said, "That's where he'll have gone, with Molly. Go on, now you have to face him."

Kevin nodded and started to run up the stairs that led to the Escher room, but surprised me and turned back.

"Wren," he said, "Come with me."

My eyes went huge, "Excuse me?"

He reached out and took my hand, "Come with me," he repeated, "I've already made it to the castle, I've solved the Labyrinth, but… none of that would have been without you. Come with me... you can come back, with Molly and me, have a new life."

Um, that was NOT part of the plan.

I shook my head, "This is as far as I go, Kevin. You go on, save Molly, before you run out of time!"

He shook his head, "I won't leave you, Wren! You're too good for this place, too good to hide from the King for the rest of your days! Come back with me, please! You mentioned guilt, back in the forest…" he sighed, "I couldn't live with the guilt of leaving you here, to this fate, I won't let you suffer anymore."

Aw! I was so flattered! I gave him a kind smile, and reached up and patted his cheek.

"Kevin, I can't, I have a separate deal with the King, that doesn't involve you. That's my lot, and I'm okay. I'm happy to be here, to help others, like you. Go on, now, and save your sister,"

He frowned at me, "Wren… please... I can't…"

I felt a kind of pull, mainly through the ring I wore on my hand. I can't quite explain what it felt like, but, it had to do with the Labyrinth, and Jareth, and Kevin's expectations. Crap! But, too late, now. I was a player in this, and I had to follow the rules.

"Yes, you can, Kevin," I said, softly, looking into his face, "Because I can't go with you, you know that. I want you to go on from here, Kevin, and don't forget what you learned. Take care of Molly, and don't ever judge someone, especially a woman, by their outward appearance."

"But," he started to protest, "How will you get back?"

I shook my head, "I'll be fine, don't worry about me. Go on. This is how it has to be."

Kevin looked at me, sadly. I couldn't move. The pull I'd felt was too strong. I knew what Jareth meant about obligations.

Kevin leaned in, slowly, dramatically, and gave me a soft kiss on my lips. I let him, I had to. When he pulled back, he asked one more time, "Please come with me?"

I smiled at him, "I'm too old for you," I said, kindly. "Now go."

And, finally, he left. I still stood there, for about five more minutes, before a great shaking and rumbling went through the castle. It was finally over.

The earthquake lasted a while, and was quite violent from my view of things, in the throne room. I actually ran into the Escher room (crazy, right?) where the gravity offered more protection against all the shakes. As soon as they stopped, though, I was out of there. I am NOT a fan of that room.

I smiled, seeing the castle I knew and was familiar with. I felt oddly giddy. I ran to the window and looked out over the city — it, too, was back to normal with smiling and happy goblins. It was so nice to have everything back.

And then I wanted nothing more to see Jareth. My Jareth-sense suggested he'd be in his study. I ignored my exhaustion and tore through the castle.

I burst through the doors, smiling like a loon (so sue me! I was happy to have helped someone through, and been a big part of it!), but caught Jareth sitting on top of his desk, looking not only exhausted, but irritated.

My smile died.

He looked a little thinner than usual, and actually had a couple of faint darks circles under his bright blue eyes, but, besides that, was back to normal. Yet, instead of the smile I expected to see, he was glaring at me.

"What?" I asked, completely at a loss.

He folded his arms across his chest, "Was that really necessary?"

"Oh," I looked up at the doors I'd just burst through,, "Sorry... I was just really excited... didn't mean to barge in here..."

"Not the doors!" he growled, "The kiss, Wren! You kissed him!"

My mouth fell open and I looked at Jareth in shock, "I beg your pardon?!"

His mouth pressed into a thin line, and he looked away, "Were you hoping I would not find out?"

I pointed my finger at him, "You stop that right now!" I demanded. I held up my ring for him to see, "I was obligated to let him kiss me! I wasn't about to kiss him, I don't like him, and he's just a boy! I had to let him kiss me! I was obligated to play the part!"

Jareth's anger faded to a pout. "I knew this was a bad idea."

I marched over to him and grabbed the sides of his face, pulling it to within an inch of mine, "I had a great time helping out in this game, GK. I am not going to let you ruin it for me, by being a stubborn, stupid… eh… Fae. I didn't mind that you threw me around, or that you obviously used an illusion of me in that ball, room, so don't you dare get all bent out of shape that I let that young guy have a kiss! Just a kiss! Nothing special about it!"

He was still frowning at me, "You did not… like it… then?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, Jareth, I did not!" I sighed and put my forehead on his, looking right into his eyes, "Kevin kissed me, okay? He's a young man, barely an adult, if even that. And, now, after running thirteen hours in the Labyrinth, I'm very tired. Do you know why I'm here, now, and not to my rooms? Because I wanted to come and find you. You want to know why?"

He grinned at me, slyly, "Why?"

"Because I wanted a real kiss, from you, before I collapsed and slept for who knows how long."

There was a rumble in his throat, and he grabbed me up and gave me one of his fierce, possessively showy kisses. Hee! Those make me giggle and go so red! Well, redder than I already was, with my still pink-tinted skin.

I pulled back, looking at him closely, and getting a little worried. "Jareth, are you okay? You don't look so good."

He shrugged, "Some runners are more demanding than others. Kevin's idea of the Labyrinth was not easy to maintain, and little Molly was highly excitable."

An image of Jareth playing with a small baby made me grin. "You'll be okay, then?"

He sighed, "With rest, yes. Kevin and Molly have both been sent back to moments after I took them, and I am ready to… collapse…" He blinked, looking very sleepy.

And adorable.

I brushed his hair out of his eyes and gave him another soft kiss, "I'll let you go to sleep, then. I'm tired, too. Thank you, for putting me in. I feel…" I faltered, not knowing how to best explain what I wanted to say, "…like I was really, finally, a solid part of your life."

He was tired, but he beamed. "Thank you," he said, in reply, "For saving me from having to kiss Kevin."

I snorted with laughter.

"Now," he said, stifling a yawn, "I know you can find your way back to your rooms…"

I nodded and headed towards the door, "Yeah… see you… tomorrow, I guess…"

"Pleasant dreams, my Wren."

Wren's Vacation, end of Day Six

Wha? I… slept… I think I guzzled water like a mad woman before I went to sleep, and therefore had to have gotten up to go to the bathroom, but… I slept.

And I didn't wake up, until my sixth day underground was nearly over.

I did have nice dreams, though. About running with Jareth. Don't ask my why. I have no idea… and I was way too tired to analyze it.

A/N: Whoa! Man, that chapter almost killed me!!! DUDE!!! One more to go! Let's hope I can do it! Must… finish… before… November…!!!

Weird ending, I know, but that was basically day six. The end of day six will be needed to start off the next chapter, so… yeah, there you go.

And, as always, read and review. I can't stress how much your reviews keep me going!